MacPherson
A Scottish clan surname meaning “son of the parson,” from a priestly or churchman ancestor.
The #6,140 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 55,341 Americans shares it.
Etymology
MacPherson is usually explained as a Gaelic patronymic built from mac, “son,” plus a form meaning “parson” or “priest.” In older scholarship, the second element is linked to words for a churchman or cleric, ultimately connected to the idea of a parish or benefice. The name therefore means, literally, “son of the parson.”
History
The name is strongly associated with Clan Chattan and the Scottish Highlands, especially Inverness-shire. Historical notices in older surname books connect it with a hereditary clan line and with early bearers in the Badenoch/Kingussie area. The name became well known more widely through figures such as James Macpherson, the Ossian translator.
Origin
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Fun fact
Older writers sometimes remarked, a little wryly, that surnames like MacPherson literally point to a clerical ancestor.
From the historical record
“tools and instruments of all kinds j able, expert, potent. McPHERSON. The son of Pherson. Pherson is the son of JPfarrer, German, a parson, and that from Pfarre, a parish, a benefit, or living. Pfarre is derived from the Gaelic Faire, a watcher, to watch, an overseer, Episcopus. McQUADE. Quad. Danish, a song, air…”
— An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names